Shooting games, adventure games, races, simulations, strategies - there is a great variety of virtual fun now. They are not only in computers, but also in every phone. They are played not only by children, but also by adults.
There is practically no such person who has not encountered video games. Students and office workers have time to play on their devices while on the subway. Many people of retirement age enthusiastically move their fingers on their smartphone in the hope of driving a virtual ball into the hole. Three-year-olds master modern gadgets at a fantastic speed and download everything that they come across from the Internet.
At least one generation has already grown up in Russia, knowing enough about computer games to pass on and instill good taste in their child.
People's opinions about the benefits and harms of games vary. Some believe that games are dangerous for the child's psyche: aggression, emotionlessness appears, the circle of interests narrows, and so on. Others say that for the most part these ideas are wrong, and they claim the opposite: games develop quick wits and determination.
If 20 years ago the older generation showed great distrust of computer games, today games have significantly expanded their age audience. According to statistics, in Russia, about 60% of people play games (console, computer, online games, games for smartphones). Moreover, most of the players are adults who are as interested in video games as children and adolescents. The average age of a gamer in Russia is 30 years. In America - about 40 years.
Most parents keep a close eye on what their child is playing. Many parents try to find time and play with their children.
For some parents, gadgets serve as a kind of lifesaver. With the help of it, the child can be silenced instantly. To do this, you just need to place the tablet in his hands. The kid is crying - mom takes out a tablet. The kid doesn't cry. If this operation is repeated many times, then the child really becomes addicted to the virtual toy, reaching fanaticism.
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What exactly are the benefits and harms of computer games?
For an adult, the introduction of computer games into his life will be rather quick fun, relaxation after a working day, then he returns to his previous activities and hobbies.
The child's perception is different, as is the level of responsibility to others: children behave carelessly, they are not responsible for anything, so they are really likely to disappear into virtual reality.
Parents should not forbid their child to play games; on the contrary, he should be comfortable with a computer and other equipment. The main thing here is to instill good taste and teach people to use computer technologies in moderation. Well, and, of course, it would be nice to understand the games.
Games are different, both useful and purely for fun. The child should be introduced to simulator games, educational interactive programs (for example, studying the world of dinosaurs in 3D), games with a therapeutic direction (for example, a doctor) and the most popular ones too, that is, games for fun where the child can feel like a superhero. It is because of them that parents often scold their children, thinking that they are fooling around and they do not need anything from life. This is not entirely true.
Games in the "Adventure" genre, that is, adventure games, are often created as a cartoon in which the child controls what is happening. The little gamer plunges into the plot, looks for clues, thinks a lot with his head.
- "Strategies" involve large-scale management of cities, troops, minerals - an excellent deposit for a future economist.
- "Logic" video games are again puzzles. You can use them to learn writing, reading, languages and more.
- "Simulators" allow a little boy to feel like a train driver, plane pilot, ship captain.
The benefits of computer games:
- develop attention to detail, reaction, finger motor skills;
- logic games develop memory, make you think;
- in general, games develop imagination, teach to approach problem solving creatively, outside the box;
- through the game, the child can be taught to work in various useful programs;
- you can have fun spending your free time alone, with friends, with your parents.
Harm from computer games:
- a long time at the computer leads to visual impairment, overstrain of the brain;
- with an incorrect posture, diseases of the joints and spine may appear;
- cruel and senseless games lead to aggression, affect the fragile psyche;
- if you constantly play, the desire to communicate with people decreases;
- games cause addiction in children and adolescents, which leads to further problems (for example, school failure).
What to do with computer games?
Computers help us in everything and make life easier. Modern man is nowhere without them. It's the same with games. Many of them are designed to teach us something, because when learning takes place in the form of a game, it is always good. Games kickstart our imaginations, make us think and solve puzzles.
If we talk about the dangers of computer games, then it is mainly associated with their excessive use. It is required to take breaks and spend no more than two hours a day playing games. Parents need to choose the right game for their child and focus on educational games. And, of course, do not forget about other activities, there are many oral and board games. Computer games are great, but not at the expense of sleep, walks, sports, reading, etc.
PS
Computer addiction in children is a serious problem. But realistic scenes of violence, gunfights, and chases aren't the only characteristics of video games.
There are also useful projects that have been proven by scientists to help develop cognitive and social skills. This article is based on my personal experience, facts and research around the world.
1) There are wonderful projects that show how various systems work, for example, there is the Spore game, where the player is given the opportunity to learn biology: from a small biological cell, go through the entire evolution and create a whole state. There is one Stanford University physicist, Ingmar Riedel-Kruse, who has created an entire collection of video games that are already helping students to reinforce learning materials.
There are many simulators, each of which will give an idea of a particular field of activity: City-building simulators (Sim City), social games about society and interaction (Sims), Flight simulators (X-Plane 10), Space simulators (Kerbal Space Program and Universe Sandbox). Games help to develop, entertaining, and this is their main value. Apart from a PC or a regular game console, there are many.
About motor skills. A study by Australia's Deakin University found that children aged 3 to 6 years old who played interactive games on the Wii had better motor skills. (https://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-kids-interactive-video-games-motor.html)
Those. If you are skeptical about a conventional keyboard or joystick, there are many external devices for physical activity. You can buy interactive games with two hand manipulators, you can also buy a virtual reality helmet, for it there are a lot of cognitive things in the form of a game, there are sports simulators, dance carpets, guitar and drum simulators, etc.
2) Interesting simulators for the development of memory, attention, reactions, made in a playful way.
3) Through play, a child can be taught to work in various useful programs.
There are many examples here. For example, due to the fact that the games did not work from time to time, I had to understand the computer device and software. This can inspire a child to master a computer language, and programming is a very promising activity.
